Manchester City

Manchester City forward Riyad Mahrez has revealed Leicester City denied him a potential move to Arsenal in 2016.

The Algeria captain explained he believes he lost valuable time playing at the top of the Premier League after the Foxes opted to retain his services.

Speaking to France Football (h/t Jake Polden of the Mirror), Mahrez said his transfer to the Gunners was close to completion before Leicester pulled the plug on the deal:

"After [Leicester won] the title, if I'd left for a top team, it wouldn't have been the same story.

"For me, it's clear that I lost two years at the highest level. I lost two years! Because instead of arriving at [Manchester] City at 27, I could have been there at 24, 25.

"Leicester blocked me. They told me: 'You're not leaving, you're not leaving.'

"My agent had spoken to [Arsene] Wenger who really wanted me. It was nearly all done with Arsenal in 2016. I was really frustrated.

"It wasn't easy to go from being the best player in the Premier League to being a part of a team fighting against relegation.

"It's not the same job. Everyone is waiting for you around the corner."

Mahrez joined Leicester in 2014 from Le Havre and became a household name after a modest start to his career in the lower leagues of French football.

The Foxes shocked the world when they broke the Premier League monopoly, winning England's top prize under the guidance of Claudio Ranieri.

Leicester's title-winning team included N'Golo Kante, who immediately joined Chelsea after his 12-month stint at the King Power Stadium. The France international then helped the Blues win the Premier League during his first year at Stamford Bridge.

Mahrez eventually secured a transfer to one of Europe's elite teams, signing a deal with City worth a club-record £60 million. The fee was also the most paid for an African footballer at the time.

The 28-year-old captured his second Premier League-winners medal last term, but Mahrez has struggled to develop into a regular starter when everyone is fit at the Etihad Stadium.

However, Mahrez was an important squad player for Pep Guardiola as City added the FA Cup and Carabao Cup to their title-winning achievements last season.

The Algerian started 14 Premier League games and came off the bench 13 times, scoring seven goals and assisting four.

Mahrez remains behind Raheem Sterling, Bernardo Silva and Kevin De Bruyne in Guardiola's pecking order, and he has started only five Premier League games this term.

Manchester City midfielder Rodrigo has said his side were "much better overall" than Liverpool despite their 3-1 defeat at Anfield on Sunday. 

Fabinho, Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane netted for the hosts inside an hour on Merseyside, and despite a 78th-minute strike from Bernardo Silva, the Reds eventually claimed a vital win in the title race:

A dramatic #PL weekend pic.twitter.com/4nNdSH0kPY

— Premier League (@premierleague) November 11, 2019

There was plenty of controversy during the fixture, and statistically City edged the match on possession and chances created:

Liverpool 3-1 Man City FT:

Shots: 12-18
Pass accuracy: 78%-84%
Chances created: 8-11
Possession: 45%-55% https://t.co/IyvIbcJoUs

— Squawka (@Squawka) November 10, 2019

Oh wow. The replay shows it is a clear handball on Trent Alexander-Arnold. Hits his arm and then goes onto his leg. Clear handball. Liverpool have got away with one there. Big time. #LFC 1-0 #MCFC #LIVMCI

— Joe Prince-Wright (@JPW_NBCSports) November 10, 2019

Was Mohamed Salah offside? 🚩#LIVMCI pic.twitter.com/JftqFViQRr

— GOAL (@goal) November 10, 2019

They did not make it count, though, and Rodrigo said afterwards that everything went in Liverpool's favour, per the Guardian's Jamie Jackson:

"I think we were much better overall. We created more chances than them, but they arrive to our goal three times and scored three goals.

"We are leaving with a bittersweet feeling, because we wanted to win. I don't think they have been much better than us, but they have scored the chances they had.

"They are very strong at the moment, and they are having everything right. We have been brave, we have tried during the 90 minutes, we never gave up. We have had to face several blows along the game."

The Spaniard added City are "absolutely not" out of the title race despite the nine-point gap to Liverpool.

In December last year, the Sky Blues were 10 points back from the Merseyside giants, albeit with a game in hand, and eventually won the title by a single point.

In order to match the same points tally they did in 2018-19, City will need to average over 2.8 points per game for the rest of the campaign.

There was scepticism early on in 2019-20 about whether Liverpool could match their points tally of 97 from last term:

🤔 'Do you think Liverpool can achieve 97 points?' - Chris Sutton@chris_sutton73, @IanWright0 and @RorySmith discuss who can challenge #MCFC for the Premier League title 🏆

🎧Listen here👇
⚽️📲 https://t.co/0kUniWPgQm#bbcfootball pic.twitter.com/sDYuhnc1mf

— BBC 5 Live Sport (@5liveSport) August 12, 2019

Over a quarter of the way into the season, though, they look relentless.

Jurgen Klopp's side have dropped just two points in 12 games, when they were held to a 1-1 draw by Manchester United at Old Trafford in October.

It may be only November, but Liverpool now have a comfortable enough lead over City to start considering the possibility of a first title win in 30 years.

After the international break, the Reds will look to keep their remarkable run going when they visit Crystal Palace on November 23 before City host in-form Chelsea. 

Manchester City slipped nine points behind Liverpool at the top of the Premier League on Sunday, but Pep Guardiola still took heart from his team's performance during the 3-1 defeat at Anfield.

Speaking to Sky Sports' Ben Grounds (h/t Premier League), the manager waxed lyrical about what his players produced:

"The way we played was incredible, I'm so proud of my players – away from home against the best team in Europe...with the injuries that we had in the squad the way we played was awesome"

- Pep Guardiola#LIVMCI pic.twitter.com/WhIoD4kyDF

— Premier League (@premierleague) November 10, 2019

Those words may seem at odds with the scoreline after goals from Fabinho, Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane gave the Reds all three points. City could only muster a Bernardo Silva goal in response, but it was an accurate reflection of how well last season's champions played going forward.

City played some typically slick and artful football in the attacking areas. A midfield defined by technique manufactured plenty of quality combinations, with Silva and Kevin De Bruyne pulling the strings.

Their ingenuity created more than a few excellent chances, but City's playmakers were routinely let down by the profligacy of Raheem Sterling and Sergio Aguero. The usually prolific pair fluffed their lines more than once from close range.

Sam Lee of The Athletic described some of the best opportunities City wasted:

City well beaten and you couldn't argue Liverpool didn't deserve it, but there were chances there for City to have changed the game if they'd been on it - potential pen, Stones header at 0-0, Aguero leaving cross (offside?) at 1-0, Aguero missed tap in 3-0, Jesus backheel at 3-1

— Sam Lee (@SamLee) November 10, 2019

The Citizens' prospects in this season's title race wouldn't look so bleak had those chances been taken. Instead, Guardiola is left facing the challenge of keeping his team competitive amid a litany of damaging injuries in defence.

Centre-back Aymeric Laporte, goalkeeper Ederson and left-back Oleksandr Zinchenko all missed the game at Anfield. Their absences left Guardiola relying on summer signing Angelino at left-back, while holding midfielder Fernandinho was chosen over Nicolas Otamendi to partner John Stones at the heart of a makeshift defence in front of deputy stopper Claudio Bravo.

There were also holes further forward, where an attacking unit already without Leroy Sane was further weakened by David Silva only being fit enough for the bench.

In this context, Guardiola's praise for his defeated players seems more honest than a show of defiance with Liverpool now firm favourites to dethrone City.

Guardiola is likely also mindful of how some key decisions didn't go his team's way. In particular, Trent Alexander-Arnold avoided giving away a penalty after not being flagged for what appeared to be a clear handball seconds before Liverpool broke and Fabinho opened the scoring.

VAR backed referee Michael Oliver's decision not to point to the spot, leaving Guardiola frustrated about both the replay system and the recourse available to aggrieved teams:

Guardiola on VAR, same as after Aston Villa game: "Ask Mike Riley and the big bosses." Insists his "thank you very much" to Oliver was not sarcastic. Journalist points out we can't speak to Mike Riley etc. Guardiola: "that's the point".

— Sam Lee (@SamLee) November 10, 2019

City had occasion to feel perturbed with the officials more than once, with Salah looking to be fractionally offside before he headed in Liverpool's second. Again, no decision was given, while Alexander-Arnold escaped another potential handball shout late on.

Guardiola feeling like things went against his depleted squad makes it easy to understand why he could still take pride from such a costly defeat.

However, the 48-year-old's positivity could also be read as a way of deflecting questions about some of his own decisions. Specifically, Guardiola's team selection raised some eyebrows since he left Otamendi, a natural central defender, on the bench and opted for little-used Angelino, who had made just five appearances in all competitions before today, over Benjamin Mendy.

The latter wasn't even left out because of a fitness concern, according to Jack Gaughan of the Daily Mail:

Mendy left out of City squad for tactical reasons. Nothing new, Pep’s had a lot to contend with a lot in full back area over last few years https://t.co/f45G2VKRs0

— Jack Gaughan (@Jack_Gaughan) November 10, 2019

Aside from overlooking Mendy, Guardiola also omitted big-money summer import Joao Cancelo. The former Juventus man could have allowed right-back Kyle Walker to move inside and form a back three with Stones and Otamendi, freeing up Fernandinho to join Rodri in a more secure midfield.

Guardiola's reluctance to trust some of the most expensive acquisitions of his tenure meant sympathy was lacking in some quarters:

Benjamin Mendy (£52m) sat uninvolved in the stands and João Cancelo (£60m) on the bench.

Thoughts with injury-stricken Manchester City at this time for bravely battling through this tough period with a makeshift defence. 😢

— Sam Byrne (@_SByrne) November 10, 2019

Talking up the quality of the performance is a way of minimising the importance of selection calls. However, the cost of some of Guardiola's team decisions may prove decisive as the title race progresses.

For now, though, City's most successful manager is right to present a positive front to a group of players facing a daunting task to maintain domestic dominance while missing so much talent. 

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has said his team do not go to Anfield as "underdogs" ahead of their clash with Liverpool in the Premier League on Sunday.

The sides will meet on Merseyside in a crucial game towards the summit of the table. Liverpool hold a six-point lead over their rivals, who sit in fourth and have won the title in the past two campaigns under Guardiola.

Given their success in recent years, the City manager has said his team shouldn't go into the match feeling like their chances of victory are slim, per Liam Grace of Sky Sports:

"The people outside the club, the people in the media they try to call us underdogs or not underdogs. I have never felt like this. Never.

"Of course, they are six points ahead and have played fantastic all season, but I'm not going to take a bus to Anfield thinking I am going to lose the game. I never have thought that in my career. Always I think of something special to do and we will have our chance to win.

"We know to win this game we must be at our top level. We need an incredible attention to detail. You must believe you can win the game, but we will see what will happens."

If City were to win, it would be an enormous result, especially given the key players they will have absent for the fixture. David Silva, Aymeric Laporte and Leroy Sane are all out of the contest, while Guardiola recently said that goalkeeper Ederson will miss the encounter because of injury too.

As Sky Sports Football highlighted, Guardiola doesn't have a strong record against Sunday's opposite number, either:

Jurgen Klopp has the slight advantage against Pep Guardiola

📺 Watch Super Sunday live on Sky Sports PL from 1pm

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) November 10, 2019

David Mooney of the Blue Moon podcast isn't confident about the champions' chances on Merseyside:

I know the team City will play will still be very expensive. But paying a lot of money for players doesn't mean they're brilliant out of position/in that combination/at all. £17m on Bravo tells you that.

City are still good enough to win. I just don't think they will.

— David Mooney (@DavidMooney) November 8, 2019

Although City will still be able to field a side full of firepower at Anfield—Raheem Sterling, Sergio Aguero and Kevin De Bruyne can hurt any defence in football—Liverpool feel a little more secure than the champions.

Jurgen Klopp's team may not be defending as well as they were last season, but they operate with an intensity that wears down opposition sides. It's meant that they have been able to turn a number of contests in their favour late in game, most recently against Aston Villa on Nov. 2, when they won 2-1 despite being 1-0 down in the 86th minute.

Given the quality they possess in attack through Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino, the home crowd will no doubt fancy the Reds' chances. Their record at Anfield against City is exceptional too:

Liverpool are unbeaten in their last 16 #PL matches against Man City at Anfield (11 wins, 5 draws)

Will that run continue in #LIVMCI ❓ pic.twitter.com/JGFPexdY9P

— Premier League (@premierleague) November 10, 2019

Despite Guardiola's bold comments and the six-point gap his team have to make up over Liverpool, you sense he would be pleased to head back to Manchester with a draw from Sunday's fixture.

If City were to fall nine points behind, it's difficult to see them clawing back that deficit given the vulnerabilities they have shown this season. That's not to mention the fact that Liverpool don't appear to be showing any signs of slowing down.

Manchester City will "try to win the game from the first minute" when they go to Anfield on Sunday to face Liverpool, according to Fernandinho. 

City have not won at Anfield since May 2003, but they can cut Liverpool's lead at the top of the 2019-20 Premier League to three points if they break that run on Sunday:

11 down, 27 to go... pic.twitter.com/IXdrbTY3OD

— Premier League (@premierleague) November 3, 2019

Manager Pep Guardiola's is missing a number of key players due to injury, including Leroy Sane, Oleksandr Zinchenko, David Silva, Rodri and Aymeric Laporte.

No. 1 goalkeeper Ederson is also a doubt after being substituted at half-time in Wednesday's UEFA Champions League draw against Atalanta:

Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson is replaced by Claudio Bravo at half-time.

City play Liverpool on Sunday 👀 pic.twitter.com/QRiEQalsQc

— B/R Football (@brfootball) November 6, 2019

City could potentially be forgiven for being cautious against the Reds, but Fernandinho has said they will go to Anfield to get three points, per Rob Dawson of ESPN FC:

"We go there and try to win the game. The mentality is always try to win the game. Sunday we go there and try to win the game from the first minute. We are searching for this first time to win at Anfield. I am confident we can go there and try to win the game."

The Sky Blues have suffered two shock defeats in the Premier League this term, losing 2-0 at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers and 3-2 away at Norwich City.

Liverpool, meanwhile, have had an almost perfect start to the campaign, only dropping points in their 1-1 draw against Manchester United at Old Trafford on October 20.

As such, a City win at Anfield would be momentous. Not only would it put the Sky Blues within touching distance of the top of the table, but it would halt Liverpool's seemingly inexorable momentum.

As well as their unbeaten start to the 2019-20 season, Liverpool are on a run of 45 league matches unbeaten at Anfield stretching back to April 2017:

45 Premier League games unbeaten

12 Premier League wins in a row

Anfield is Liverpool’s fortress 🏰 pic.twitter.com/3044CSeyFj

— Coral (@Coral) October 27, 2019

Jurgen Klopp's side will rightly be confident of stretching their lead over City to nine points by getting another win on Sunday.

But if City can win, the blow a home defeat would deal to Liverpool could potentially swing the title race back in the defending champions' favour. 

Pep Guardiola is unsure whether his No. 1 goalkeeper Ederson will be fit for Manchester City's top-of-the-table clash against Liverpool in the Premier League at Anfield on Sunday. 

The Brazilian was replaced by Claudio Bravo at half-time during City's 1-1 UEFA Champions League draw against Atalanta on Wednesday due to a muscle issue:

Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson is replaced by Claudio Bravo at half-time.

City play Liverpool on Sunday 👀 pic.twitter.com/QRiEQalsQc

— B/R Football (@brfootball) November 6, 2019

Bravo was then sent off with nine minutes remaining at the San Siro, meaning right-back Kyle Walker had to see out the match in between the posts:

Kyle Walker has now made more saves (1) than Ederson and Claudio Bravo combined (0) vs. Atalanta.

Start him at Anfield. 😅 pic.twitter.com/t9eR6Qr2s2

— Squawka (@Squawka) November 6, 2019

After the draw, Guardiola could not confirm whether Ederson would be fit for the Liverpool game, but he gave his full backing to Bravo, per the Daily Mail's Jack Gaughan:

"We have a lot of trust in Claudio. I know him, so why should I have doubts in my players? We have a lot of things we have had to overcome. Claudio is ready. He is an incredible professional. He is ready. I don't know about Ederson right now. It's a muscular problem, it's not big. He didn't feel comfortable the last minutes of the first half."

Bravo, 36, has not played in a Premier League match since the 2017-18 season, with Ederson completing every game in the English top flight in 2018-19 and so far in 2019-20. 

Sunday's visit to Merseyside could be a season-defining fixture for City.

After pipping Liverpool to the Premier League title by a single point in 2018-19, the Sky Blues trail Jurgen Klopp's side by six points after 11 games:

11 down, 27 to go... pic.twitter.com/IXdrbTY3OD

— Premier League (@premierleague) November 3, 2019

A victory at Anfield would cut the gap to three and end Liverpool's unbeaten run in the Premier League that stands at 28 matches.

A defeat for City and a nine-point deficit at the top of the table would put them even further on the back foot in the title race.

Guardiola's side clawed back a 10-point gap last term, so a loss on Sunday would not necessarily be terminal.

But it would throw into serious jeopardy City's bid to become the first side since Sir Alex Ferguson's Manchester United in 2008-09 to win three consecutive Premier League titles. 

Manchester City will have to wait to seal qualification from Group C of the 2019-20 UEFA Champions League after being held to a 1-1 draw by Atalanta on Wednesday.

It was a costly night for City, who subbed off goalkeeper Ederson because of a minor injury at halftime and saw his replacement Claudio Bravo red-carded for a challenge on Josip Ilicic. The Citizens, who also rued a missed penalty from Gabriel Jesus, ended the night with right-back Kyle Walker tending goal.

Raheem Sterling gave the Citizens a seventh-minute lead at the San Siro, before Mario Pasalic headed past Bravo to equalise for the hosts.

The stalemate has moved City onto 10 points in the table, but still waiting on qualification ahead of hosting Shakhtar Donetsk at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday, November 26.

Slick and intricate football saw City take an early lead when Bernardo Silva threaded a pass through for Gabriel Jesus. The Brazil international executed a deft, first-time flick for Sterling, who didn't waste his chance.

Goals and assists have become common for the versatile winger at this level:

⚽ Raheem Sterling has been involved in 14 goals in his last 11 CL apps (10 goals 4 assists)

Goals in last 3 CL apps:
v Dinamo Zagreb ⚽
v Atalanta ⚽⚽⚽
v Atalanta ⚽

👏 👏 👏 pic.twitter.com/8rx3E9diJk

— Sky Sports Statto (@SkySportsStatto) November 6, 2019

Sterling was at the heart of everything good City produced going forward. The former Liverpool star came close to winning a penalty after being released by De Bruyne five minutes before the break, only for VAR to reveal the foul initially took place outside the box.

It started a bizarre sequence of events that saw Sterling take the ensuing free kick and actually win a spot-kick when a member of the Atalanta wall was flagged for handball. Jesus stepped up to take the penalty but dragged his effort from 12 yards well wide.

City had dominated but had to settle for maintaining a slender lead as the half ended. The worse news was goalkeeper Ederson needing to be withdrawn during the break.

BT say Ederson has a minor injury and has been subbed as a precaution. In other news, Atalanta have scored! 1-1

— Simon Bajkowski (@spbajko) November 6, 2019

Atalanta's resistance had been tame, but the home side finally mustered a credible attack when Alejandro Gomez crossed for Palasic to head in an equaliser four minutes after the restart.

Claudio Bravo has now conceded as many goals as he has made saves in his six Champions League games for Man City (8).

That header was pretty good though. pic.twitter.com/5MAERDjUpu

— Squawka (@Squawka) November 6, 2019

City needed to respond, but a team missing injured playmaker David Silva was struggling for fluency. The away side's best route to goal became releasing Sterling with direct passing from deep.

Fernandinho played the England international in, but Pierluigi Gollini stood tall. At the other end, Atalanta's biggest threat was carried by Ilicic, with the Slovenian using quick footwork and excellent technique to cause problems.

Ilicic striding through forced Bravo's rash challenge resulting in a red card for the stand-in stopper. The dismissal forced Pep Guardiola into an unusual alternative with right-back Kyle Walker coming off the bench to play between the sticks.

https://twitter.com/brlive/status/1192195875650576385

Amid a lengthy delay and scenes of utter chaos, Walker was made to wait to come on while confusion reigned over City substituting Riyad Mahrez. Walker was eventually introduced, and his first action involved gathering a free kick struck by Atalanta sub Ruslan Malinovskiy.

It was the lone moment where Walker was credibly tested. Instead, City's careful passing and high press kept the ball away from their makeshift last line of defence and maintained the club's unbeaten start in the group.

While qualification will have to wait, earning a point in trying circumstances speaks to the depth and mental strength of this squad. Even so, Pep Guardiola will be hoping Ederson can start ahead of mistake-prone Bravo for the crunch trip to Liverpool.

   

What's Next?

City face Premier League leaders Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday, while Atalanta travel to Sampdoria in the Italian top flight on the same day.

Sergio Aguero has said Liverpool are the only side that can challenge Manchester City for the Premier League title, but he added Manchester United remain the Sky Blues' biggest rivals. 

City pipped Liverpool to the title by a single point last term in a record-breaking title race:

Man City 9⃣2⃣
Liverpool 9⃣1⃣

This is the first season in Premier League history where two teams have won 90+ points 👏#MOTD2 pic.twitter.com/lTI42n78xM

— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) April 28, 2019

Finishing on 97 points would have won Liverpool the title in all but one of the last 26 seasons 🤯#MOTD https://t.co/KK4UFAG4se

— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) May 12, 2019

After 11 games of the 2019-20 campaign, Liverpool have a six-point lead over the Sky Blues at the top of the table, and the two sides meet at Anfield on Sunday in a potentially season-defining clash:

11 down, 27 to go... pic.twitter.com/IXdrbTY3OD

— Premier League (@premierleague) November 3, 2019

Aguero acknowledged Liverpool must now be considered City's main challengers for England's most prestigious piece of silverware, but he said games against United remain the biggest of the lot, per France Football (h/t Will Magee of Goal): 

"[The Liverpool game] may be the Clasico for television, but for us, the Clasico, it's the match against United. Liverpool have always been a tough opponent. But when I arrived, the team we were fighting for the title was United.

"Initially, it was something strange in [Manchester] that City competes against United. Then there was Chelsea. But these last four seasons, Liverpool have become a very strong team and are now fighting with us to win the Premier League.

"They are the only team in the league that can hurt us. They have been chasing a new league title for years. Last season, they didn't go all the way, so they are very motivated. This year, they are in front of us and will try to go to the end."

Aguero, 31, joined City in 2011 from Atletico Madrid for a reported fee of £38 million. Nine years on that looks like one of the best pieces of business in the club's history because the Argentinian is now City's all-time record goalscorer:

⚽️ Goal 2⃣4⃣2⃣ in a Manchester City shirt for Sergio Aguero on his 3⃣5⃣0⃣th app for the club.#CarabaoCup #MCFC https://t.co/6gvJEtV5jY

— Sky Sports Statto (@SkySportsStatto) October 29, 2019

He has netted at least 20 league goals in each of the last five seasons and is well on his way to hitting that mark again in 2019-20 with nine goals in 10 appearances this term in the English top flight.

Aguero will be vital for manager Pep Guardiola on Sunday. City will be looking to beat Liverpool and close to within three points of their title rivals.

Since their shock home loss to Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League on October 6, City have won five on the bounce in all competitions. 

Liverpool, meanwhile, are yet to be beaten in the Premier League this term and have not lost a home game in the English top flight since April 2017, a run of 45 matches. 

Manchester City can secure their spot in the UEFA Champions League knockout rounds with a victory over Atalanta in Group C on Wednesday at the San Siro.

The Sky Blues have nine points from three games in Europe so far this term and are five points clear at the top of the pool.

Atalanta, meanwhile, have lost all three of their group-stage matches so far and need a victory over City to keep their chances of qualifying to the knockout rounds alive.

                      

Date: Wednesday, November 6

Time: 8 p.m. GMT, 3 p.m. ET

TV Info: BT Sport 3 (UK)

Live Stream: Live Stream: BT Sport Live (UK), B/R Live (U.S.)

Match Odds: Atalanta 17-4, City 1-2, Draw 17-4

Odds courtesy of Caesars

                  

Atalanta have been an entertaining side to watch this season.

They have broken records for their goalscoring in Serie A and have 30 in 11 games in the Italian top flight:

28 - #Atalanta have scored 28 goals in Serie A this season: record in the three points for a win era - the last side to have scored more at this stage of the competition was AC Milan in the 1992/93 campaign (29 goals) Army.#AtalantaUdinese #SerieA pic.twitter.com/Xhg7EF7rDQ

— OptaPaolo (@OptaPaolo) October 27, 2019

In Europe, though, they have suffered a 4-0 defeat to Dinamo Zagreb, a 2-1 home loss to Shakhtar Donetsk, and most recently, a 5-1 thrashing by City at the Etihad Stadium.

Atalanta's goalscoring run also dried up at the weekend in Serie A when they lost 2-0 at home to Cagliari:

https://twitter.com/IFTVofficial/status/1190982572018413569

It was hardly ideal preparation for the visit of a City side who have won their last five games on the bounce in all competitions.

Gian Piero Gasperini may have been hoping his opposite number, Pep Guardiola, would field a weakened side on Wednesday ahead of a crucial Premier League clash against Liverpool on Sunday.

However, per Simon Bajkowski of the Manchester Evening News, the Spanish manager has committed to fielding "the best team possible to win at Atalanta."

It is a sensible move given City could potentially reap the benefits in the build-up to Christmas of having secured qualification to the knockout rounds with two games to spare.

The strongest team Guardiola has at his disposal should have enough to win away at Atalanta, even though David Silva will be missing:

Silva sidelined for UCL tie. “Five minutes before half-time David told me he had little problem muscular,” Pep confirmed. “[Will he be OK for Atalanta and Liverpool?] I don’t think so. Muscular problems normally means 10 to 12 days [out].”

🚑 https://t.co/3OsRCOYAmr#MCFC https://t.co/O4Z9KvpdaS

— Ben Dinnery (@BenDinnery) November 4, 2019

But City's own defence has been a little rocky of late in the absence of Aymeric Laporte.

As such, Atalanta have the attacking talent to threaten City's goal, and it should be a highly entertaining game in Milan with plenty of goals.  

Manchester City came from a goal down to beat Southampton 2-1 in the Premier League at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday. 

The visitors stunned the champions by taking the lead on 13 minutes. Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson spilled a shot by Stuart Armstrong, allowing James Ward-Prowse to tap home the opener.

Pep Guardiola's side pressed hard for an equaliser but had to wait until the 70th minute to finally find a way through the Southampton defence.

Kyle Walker raced down the right and sent in a low cross for Sergio Aguero to slot through goalkeeper Alex McCarthy's legs with a cool finish.

Manchester City then wrapped up a deserved win with three minutes of normal time remaining. Walker tapped home Angelino's cross from the left to secure all three points.

Guardiola made changes to his side for Saturday's match, bringing Walker and Aguero back into the team and handing 22-year-old Angelino his first Premier League start.

Journalist Ian Walker shared the two teams:

Angelino makes his first Premier League start for @ManCity, with Stones alongside Fernandinho in defence. Aguero starts up front with Jesus on the bench. McCarthy keeps his place in goal for @SouthamptonFC ahead of Gunn. #MCISOU pic.twitter.com/ed2vr7nkiV

— Ian Parker (@iparkysport) November 2, 2019

City started on the front foot but suffered an early blow when Ward-Prowse capitalised on a rare error from goalkeeper Ederson. The Brazilian could not keep hold of Armstrong's shot and was beaten to the follow-up by Ward-Prowse.

The Athletic's Sam Lee offered his view on the incident:

The Ederson spill was clumsy enough but not sure he made the best decision after that, trying to get to the loose ball with a punch instead of spreading to block any shot.

— Sam Lee (@SamLee) November 2, 2019

The hosts went on to dominate the first half but were frustrated by some dogged Saints defending that saw them unable to register a shot on target in the first hour of the match.

The Telegraph's Luke Edwards noted Guardiola's frustration with his side:

With an hour played, #mcfc have not had a shot on target, Pep Guardiola is looking increasingly agitated and is unhappy with the ball boys at the Etihad not returning the ball quickly enough and Southampton still lead after an Ederson howler. All in all not great.

— Luke Edwards (@LukeEdwardsTele) November 2, 2019

Guardiola opted to make a change at half-time, taking off captain David Silva and replacing him with striker Gabriel Jesus to increase his side's attacking threat.

The hosts continued to pile on the pressure and went close to an equaliser when Aguero headed Bernardo Silva's cross narrowly over the bar when unmarked on 67 minutes.

Yet the Argentina international did not have to wait too much longer for his ninth Premier League goal of the season. The striker produced a clinical first-time finish from Walker's cross to equalise with City's first shot on target.

Manchester City then went in search of a winner, and the chances started piling up. Bernardo Silva was denied by a strong save from McCarthy, while Kevin De Bruyne curled a fierce shot just wide.

It was left to Walker to provide his second decisive contribution of the match to secure the win. The 29-year-old met Angelino's cross on the stretch and managed to knock the ball home:

1 - Kyle Walker has both scored and assisted in a Premier League game for the first time in his career (272 apps). Saviour. #MCISOU

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) November 2, 2019

It is an important win for Manchester City, who remain six points behind leaders Liverpool but have the chance to close the gap when they head to Anfield in their next Premier League outing.

     

What's Next?

Manchester City play Atalanta in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday and then head to Anfield for a Premier League clash with Liverpool on Sunday. Southampton's next fixture is a Premier League meeting with Everton on Saturday at St Mary's Stadium.